*WPOOSH!*
Naguru Akogare huffed heavily, his breath ragged. In his right hand, a whip of blue magic was dangling lifelessly. Wiping sweat from his forehead, the blonde bent his knees, reeling the whip backward.
"HYAA!"
With a valiant swipe, Akogare's conjured whip wrapped itself around a wooden test dummy, enabling the blonde to pull violently and form a blue Genso-Kyu with his free hand—*boom!*—annihilating the test dummy completely.
As of late, Akogare's mood has been unbalanced, ranging from moments of pride to disastrous hopelessness. Clenching his hands until his knuckles turned white, Akogare's disposition dropped sour.
"Why… Why do I feel so limited? Everyone else has aura prints that enable them to go far… but I only have a whip…" Akogare mumbled, forcing himself to stand straight.
Despite his continued improvement in physical combat, his comprehension of his Aura Sense, and his seeming greater battle intellect, the blonde felt unprepared; the thought of him depending on his Genso-Kyu to deliver lethal blows stifled any potential exhilaration.
Every day, his classmates improved their skills greatly, including their aura prints. But, sadly, Akogare was stuck with a whip. Naderamu could prompt her shurikens to implode upon impact and change their shape; Meisei could create explosive arrows and was learning to clone the arrows in an instant; Sukudo could create numerous hawks of various sizes, each allowing the boy to see from far and high—and there was Utsukushi, who would soon be able to scale landscapes and latch onto anything and everything.
"Well, it isn't a good enough excuse to give up!" Akogare motivated himself, smiling resolutely.
Standing in the distance, Mr. Oshieru observed the blonde student. It wasn't difficult to understand Akogare. His inability to venture deeper into his aura sense was demotivating. However, it did not mean he was out of options.
Exhaling, Mr. Oshieru ambled toward Akogare. "I won't let one of my students fail."
XXX
"Oi," a voice called out, catching Akogare's undivided attention. The blonde shifted his body to face the individual, only to spot his instructor.
"Oh, Mr. Oshieru! Did I do something wrong?" Akogare asked, smiling awkwardly.
Mr. Oshieru shook his head silently. "I want to introduce you to something that might assist you in your future. I'm aware of your current situation of being hindered by the lack of a versatile aura print, and I can relate from when I was your age."
Akogare eyed his instructor oddly. "What could help?"
Reaching for his sheath from behind, Oshieru pulled out his tachi sword. Akogare's eyes glowed at the sight of the glimmering blade of the sword, his interest skyrocketing.
"I know I haven't told you all much about me, but I never had an aura print that could be properly used in combat—without a sword, that is. My aura print copies the shape of a weapon, allowing me to dispose of several swords without losing the real one." Mr. Oshieru revealed, warranting an exuberant gasp from the blonde.
Akogare tilted his head moronically. "What does this have to do with my situation?"
Mr. Oshieru stiffened, his head spiraling with annoyance. Taking a deep breath, Mr. Oshieru replied, "I wish to teach you how to use a sword in battle. I full-heartedly believe that it would improve your stance in an encounter greatly, and you have the combat skills required to start learning."
"So I get to become like you!" Akogare shouted, pumping his fists up and down.
Mr. Oshieru knitted an eyebrow. "No, you get to become your own—!"
"When do we start!?" Akogare interrupted, making Mr. Oshieru concede.
Mr. Oshieru deadpanned.
"If you're adamant about this, we can start whenever you wish." Mr. Oshieru informed, sheathing his tachi sword.
Akogare smiled brightly, putting his fist against his gray chest plate. Mr. Oshieru knew how energetic the blonde could be, but it was relieving to see such an enthusiastic smile on his face—even in unsettling times. The idea made the instructor confident in Akogare's abilities.
"I want to start now!"
XXX
"You have a home!?"
Asami shuddered, smacking Tanjo atop the head.
"Don't yell in my ear!"
Tanjo rubbed his head to placate the pain, a dazed expression forming. Since leaving the mountain, supposedly on their way to collect new gear for the jet-black-haired boy, Asami disclosed that she had a home with several articles of combative clothing. However, Tanjo mainly clung to the word 'home'.
"What made you think I don't have a home?" Asami questioned, a small frown marring her face.
Tanjo shrugged. "You travel throughout the nation and stay away from the public eye; where would you even live, if not in a village or town?"
"I… built one?" Asami answered, her voice gradually rising in confusion. Was living outside of a village or town that unbelievable.
Tanjo craned his head sideways. "You… are all by yourself all the time, then?"
"Hey, this was obvious knowledge, kid. Use those smarts of yours to put two and two together." Asami shot back, stretching her arms.
Tanjo sagged slightly, his countenance morphing into sadness. The boy wasn't able to grasp how anybody could isolate themselves for so long and be mentally stable. It didn't seem possible. Even warriors become lopsided in the head after being away from their families for so long.
'Does she have a family…?' Tanjo thought, refusing to voice his question. It would be quite rude, and would potentially spoil the mood.
"It's better during the day," Asami abruptly said, "the wildlife is quite peaceful."
"Quite," Tanjo responded, nodding in agreement.
The two then continued to walk throughout the woodlands in search of Asami's home. Birds would occasionally chirp, a rabbit or two would hop along the ground, and cicadas would buzz rhythmically.
But, in the corner of his observant eye, Tanjo noticed a certain figure—a man with long, white robes, lengthy blue hair, and levitating like a lost spirit.
"Kronos!?" Tanjo jolted, accidentally shouting.
Asami halted instantly, turning around. "Huh?"
"Oh! It's… nothing. I have to go take a leak, I'll be back in a second!" Tanjo lied through his teeth, hopping away anxiously.
After disappearing behind the trees, away from Asami, the teenage boy looked around, attempting to spot the god from moments ago.
With his eyes darting everywhere, Tanjo finally spotted the god, who was standing on a branch weightlessly, the extended limb of the tree not bending an inch.
"Kronos! Why are you back!?" Tanjo asked, hushed. "I thought you were having me train for the time being?"
Kronos remained monotonous, his eyes drawn to nothing but the boy. "Yes, that is still my intention—but it isn't going how I planned; or rather, at the speed I require it to be."
Tanjo became perplexed. "I get you're in a rush to save the future, but I can only go as fast as I can."
Kronos heard a peculiar tone in Tanjo's words, prompting the god to narrow his eyes. "You're still focused on saving that Mizuki child."
"Yes, I am," Tanjo replied immediately, "that child is going before everything as of right now."
Kronos looked down, disappointed. "I'm not here to say that he isn't important. It would increase your experience greatly—but I am only trying to say that you need to act faster. If you don't, both Mizuki and everyone you love will suffer for your choice of leisure. I'm sure you don't want to live with the guilt, no?"
Tanjo was caught at a loss for a retort. The boy was confused and felt insufficient as a person. He was too weak? He was short on time. How could he ignore such things? And after that, he thought things were going to go smoothly from here on out. Damn his naivety.
"But, I have a solution," Kronos added, making Tanjo perk up. "I merely wish to amplify your Aura Amalgamation up to standard. It strictly relies on the strength of your soul and capability."
Extending a hand outward, a small object formed in Kronos' hands. Tanjo strained his eyes to glance at the object, but couldn't identify it at all. Then, Kronos appeared before Tanjo, making the boy jump back slightly. When the god was closer, Tanjo could clearly observe the small object.
It was Earth.
"This ball represents your planet—small, but it will have to do for now." Kronos said, confusing Tanjo.
"Huh?" Tanjo stumbled for words, watching the spherical object in Kronos' hands spin slowly.
"Try to lift it." Kronos requested, handing the small Earth to Tanjo.
The moment he handed Tanjo the small earth—"AAH!"—the boy's hands fell immediately, only to be swiftly caught by Kronos. The miniature Earth sat in the god's hands once again, allowing the boy to stand back up.
Tanjo looked at the god. "Why was it so heavy!?"
"Because it weighs the same amount as Earth," Kronos explained, making Tanjo's eyes broaden.
"You expected me to lift a planet!? I could barely lift a large tree!" Tanjo disposed of his quiet voice, yelling at the god angrily.
Kronos closed his eyes. "You refused to use your Aura Amalgamation. Separately using the four Aura Sense is strong, but only to the standards of a warrior. Even with the Aura Sense the way you use it, you'd be at the level of a High-Class warrior… maybe."
Tanjo remained silent for several moments, standing in contemplation. The boy was in a farce with his own mind. Being able to lift a planet? He wasn't even close to being able to lift a mountain!
"Come here," Kronos ordered, breaking Tanjo out from his stupor. "If you remember, Suru Tassei—the woman who amplified your power first—increased our power and skill dramatically. What I'm currently discussing has the same properties."
Tanjo was at a loss for words. "What are you going to do?"
Stepping forward, Tanjo felt Kronos place two of his fingers against his chest—specifically, over his heart. Without warning, a surge of energy rushed through the boy's body, shocking Tanjo tremendously.
"I'm going to get you up to speed. I can't get you to your strongest, but I can certainly enable you the path to become this strong on your own."
It felt as if the big bang occurred within his body, a torrent of rippling power rushing to every inch of Tanjo's body. The jet-black-haired boy felt temporarily paralyzed, only to be free once Kronos retracted his hand.
"Now," Kronos started, "take out your hand."
Tanjo complied, putting his hand flat in the air. Similar to before, Kronos placed the small earth in Tanjo's hands. In moments, Tanjo fell to his knees again. However, before his hand could devastatingly collide with the ground, the boy successfully managed to keep hold of the planetary object, straining his arm to the max.
"ARGH!" Tanjo struggled, clenching his teeth.
Slowly but surely, Tanjo started to balance himself, rising to his feet. Never before had Tanjo felt such immense pain, but the thought of dropping an object the weight of a planet was far too scary for the boy to comprehend.
Within seconds, Tanjo was on his feet, his other hand gripping his tense arm, holding it from below for support.
"Excellent," Kronos praised, grabbing the miniature earth from Tanjo's hand, relieving the boy from popping a blood vessel. "I expect you to train with this."
Breathing heavily, Tanjo eyed the god. "How… would I train… with that?"
"As a god, I have quite the control over properties—so, when you're no longer using your Aura Amalgamation, this object will be weightless. When you do activate your Aura Amalgamation, however, it will revert back to its planetary weight." Kronos explained, throwing the small earth up and down.
The moment Tanjo felt all of his power drain, Kronos handed the spherical object back, only for it to feel like a ball of air with how light it felt.
"Use it wisely, don't drop it. I also recommend hurting back to Asami—she'll be here in fourteen seconds." Kronos stated, turning around to leave.
Tanjo reached out in haste. "Wait! What happens if I drop it!?"
Kronos didn't respond, only vanishing behind a cluster of leaves.
"Hey, Tanjo! Where'd ya go!?" Asami could be heard yelling in the distance, making the boy groan.
"This is going to be hell…"
XXX
Little longer of a chapter today. And, hopefully, it was entertaining! WIll Tanjo master the planetary weight of Earth? Will he get stronger? Will everything go according to plan? Maybe, we don't know for sure! Stay tuned for more!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_